Pubdate: Fri, 11 Apr 2003
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: Amanda Banks
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

ROAD SAFETY DRUG RISKS

LIVES could be jeopardised under the State Government's cannabis law reform 
plan because there had been no consideration of road safety issues, the 
Opposition claims.

Shadow transport minister Katie Hodson-Thomas said the reforms failed to 
take into account that cannabis use impaired driving skills and relaxed 
laws could lead to more people driving under the influence of the drug.

But according to the Office of Road Safety, there is no evidence relaxing 
cannabis laws will lead to more people driving under the influence or have 
a negative impact on road safety.

National Drug Research Institute senior research fellow Simon Lenton said 
while cannabis use did impair driving ability, there was no increase in 
serious and afatal accidents after similar drug law changes in South Australia.

A task force of the Road Safety Council, which advises the State 
Government, is due to report on an investigation into the detection of drug 
drivers by mid-year.

Task force chairman and UWA Injury Research Centre deputy director Rina 
Cercarelli said roadside saliva testing and penalties were being examined.

Under existing legislation, driving under the influence of cannabis can be 
prosecuted under a model which encompasses driving under the influence of 
alcohol and other drugs.

Drivers are first subjected to a breath test and if that does not explain 
the level of observed impairment, a blood or urine sample can be taken to 
detect the presence of drugs.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom